Two Tube Strikes on Horizon over 'Bullying Management Tactics'

TUBE STRIKES could be coming at the double soon as the Rail, Maritime and Transport union ballots two groups of staff over what it calls "bullying management tactics".

One group, who work for ticket barrier contractors Cubic Transportation Service, have so far not been offered an Olympic bonus and face a real-terms pay-cut, while the other group have issues with staff reorganisation at the Hammersmith Service Control Centre.

"Both of these disputes are about protecting our members' jobs, working conditions and standards of living in the face of aggressive and bullying management tactics that leave us no choice but to ballot for action," said RMT leader Bob Crow.

"RMT remains available for talks, but no-one should under-estimate the level of anger amongst both of these groups of workers."

On the control centre revamp, London Underground says it is also keen to continue talks.

"We are disappointed that the RMT have decided to ballot when discussions are ongoing and up to this point constructive," said Nigel Holness, LU network services director.

"On other lines we have successfully managed the movement of staff to new service control centres, and intend to follow a similar approach in this case."